RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes could get used to this.

Cam Ward made 27 saves and the Hurricanes won their season-high fourth game in a row, defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on Friday night at PNC Arena.

"I think we have good confidence now," forward Sebastian Aho said. "This was a big win for us. We just have to keep it going."

Derek Ryan and Aho scored for the Hurricanes (18-12-7), who have won seven of their last eight games.

They've produced rousing results against Montreal and Pittsburgh in a three-night span. Carolina broke a tie in points with the Penguins in the Metropolitan Division, moving alone into sixth place.

"It's mental toughness from the guys," Hurricanes coach Bill Peters said.

Ward made 15 saves in the third period as he was under heavy pressure at times. He allowed only defenseman Brian Dumoulin's first-period goal.

"We're playing our game, we're playing quick," Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin said. "(Ward) has stepped up huge for us. It gives the team confidence."

Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry stopped 31 saves, but Pittsburgh (19-17-3) wasn't able to build off the momentum created two nights earlier with a riveting comeback victory over Columbus.

"I thought I was making some good reads, but it's always tough to lose," Jarry said.

Ward (10-2-1) has played in the last four games for Carolina after not appearing in more than two consecutive games until this latest stretch.

The Hurricanes fended off a Pittsburgh power play early in the third period after Aho went off for holding.

That allowed another reward to accompany a strong effort. Carolina owns a six-game winning streak on home ice.

"When our team game is better and in order, there is more trust and execution," Peters said. "We play faster and therefore individuals look better."

The Penguins are dealing with an assortment of injuries, with five likely starters missing this game.

"We've always had a fair share of injuries that we've had to fight through," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "We believe we have capable guys. It's an opportunity for guys to step up."

Dumoulin opened the scoring just 4:34 into the game. It was only his second goal of the season, with the other coming Nov. 11.

"We got that first goal and we accomplished what we wanted to in the first period," Sullivan said. "I thought there was a letdown in the second period."

Ryan's goal came when he waited at the side of the net and shoved the puck past Jarry after receiving a pass from Elias Lindholm. Lindholm has at least one point in each game of the current winning streak.

Aho scored what proved to be the game-winner with 1:55 remaining in the second period. He scored four goals in Carolina's three-game homestand.

The Penguins are waiting for goalie Matt Murray to get back into action as he's out with a day-to-day injury. Jarry has held his own despite falling to 5-3-2 this season.

"He has played some good games for us," Sullivan said. "He's very, very capable."

Jarry said he approaches his practice work with a serious nature and he thinks that pays off in games, though the desired result wasn't achieved Friday night.

"I think it makes me prepared for playing," Jarry said.

The Hurricanes started strong in front of an enthusiastic crowd with a strong Pittsburgh influence. Carolina racked up 26 shots across the first two periods. Almost 18,000 fans were on hand, a rarity with a close-to-capacity turnout.

NOTES: The Penguins played without RW Bryan Rust and D Chad Ruhwedel, who both exited Wednesday night's game with upper-body injuries. ... The Penguins were unbeaten in their last seven meetings with Carolina. ... The Hurricanes are 15-3-2 when scoring the first goal this season, but the opponent struck first for only the fourth time in their last 14 games. ... Carolina C Jordan Staal, a first-round draft pick of the Penguins in 2006, played in his 800th NHL game two nights earlier. ... The Hurricanes went five games without a power-play goal before a three-game stretch with four power-play goals. They were 0-for-2 on Friday night. ...Carolina plays Saturday night at St. Louis. ... The Penguins visit Detroit on Sunday.